Apparatuses and methods for reducing latency in a conveyance of data in networks

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure may include, for example, determining, by a first processing system, that first data is unavailable within a first storage device of the first processing system, resulting in a first determination, determining, based on the first determination, that the first data is available within a second storage device of a second processing system, resulting in a second determination, wherein the first processing system and the second processing system are included in a first tier of a processing system hierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchy includes a second tier, the second tier including a third processing system, obtaining, based on the second determination, the first data from the second storage device of the second processing system, and transmitting, based on the obtaining of the first data from the second storage device of the second processing system, the first data to a communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/388,071 filed on Jul. 29, 2021. All sections ofthe aforementioned application are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for reducinglatency in a conveyance of data in networks.

BACKGROUND

As the world becomes increasingly connected through vast communicationsystems and networks and via various communication devices, additionalopportunities are generated to provision data (e.g., media content) tousers. All other conditions being assumed equal, storage of data at anedge layer/location/device that is proximal to a user generally reducesthe amount of time that is needed to provision the data to the user(relative to a scenario where the data is maintained/stored at a centrallocation—e.g., a central server). However, given finite storagecapacities, as the amount of data that is potentially accessible by theuser within a system or network increases, storage at an edge device isinadequate/insufficient—e.g., as the amount of data that is availableincreases, the probability increases that the data will not be availableat the edge device. To fulfill a request for the data from a user (orassociated user equipment), the request may need to be sent (e.g.,forwarded) from the edge device to a central location, therebyincreasing the amount of load/traffic in an upstream direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary, non-limitingembodiment of a communications network in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system functioning within the communication network ofFIG. 1 in accordance with various aspects described herein.

FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method in accordancewith various aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a virtualized communication network in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acommunication device in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrativeembodiments for conveying data within a communication network or system,whereby proximity to an edge location of the network/system is takeninto consideration for reducing latency. Other embodiments are describedin the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, in whole or inpart, a first device that obtains a first request for a content item,determines, based on the obtaining of the first request, whether firstdata associated with the content item is available at the first device,resulting in a first determination, transmits the first data to acommunication device when the first determination indicates that thefirst data is available at the first device, obtains the first data fromat least one of a second device and a third device when the firstdetermination indicates that the first data is unavailable at the firstdevice, wherein the first device and the second device are included in afirst tier of a hierarchical arrangement of devices, wherein the thirddevice is included in a second tier of the hierarchical arrangement ofdevices, and wherein the second tier is different from the first tier,and transmits, based on the obtaining of the first data from the atleast one of a second device and a third device, the first data to thecommunication device when the first determination indicates that thefirst data is unavailable at the first device.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, in whole or inpart, a first processing system including a first processor thatdetermines that first data associated with a requested content item isunavailable within a first storage location of the first processingsystem, resulting in a first determination, determines, based on thefirst determination, that the first data is available within a secondstorage location of a second processing system including a secondprocessor, resulting in a second determination, wherein the firstprocessing system and the second processing system are included in afirst tier of a processing system hierarchy, and wherein the processingsystem hierarchy includes a second tier, the second tier including athird processing system including a third processor, obtains, based onthe second determination, the first data from the second storagelocation of the second processing system, and transmits, based on theobtaining of the first data from the second storage location of thesecond processing system, the first data to a user equipment.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include, in whole or inpart, determining, by a first processing system including a firstprocessor, that first data is unavailable within a first storage deviceof the first processing system, resulting in a first determination,determining, by the first processing system and based on the firstdetermination, that the first data is available within a second storagedevice of a second processing system including a second processor,resulting in a second determination, wherein the first processing systemand the second processing system are included in a first tier of aprocessing system hierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchyincludes a second tier, the second tier including a third processingsystem including a third processor, obtaining, by the first processingsystem and based on the second determination, the first data from thesecond storage device of the second processing system, and transmitting,by the first processing system and based on the obtaining of the firstdata from the second storage device of the second processing system, thefirst data to a communication device.

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a system 100 in accordance withvarious aspects described herein. For example, system 100 can facilitatein whole or in part a first device that obtains a first request for acontent item, determines, based on the obtaining of the first request,whether first data associated with the content item is available at thefirst device, resulting in a first determination, transmits the firstdata to a communication device when the first determination indicatesthat the first data is available at the first device, obtains the firstdata from at least one of a second device and a third device when thefirst determination indicates that the first data is unavailable at thefirst device, wherein the first device and the second device areincluded in a first tier of a hierarchical arrangement of devices,wherein the third device is included in a second tier of thehierarchical arrangement of devices, and wherein the second tier isdifferent from the first tier, and transmits, based on the obtaining ofthe first data from the at least one of a second device and a thirddevice, the first data to the communication device when the firstdetermination indicates that the first data is unavailable at the firstdevice. System 100 can facilitate in whole or in part a first processingsystem including a first processor that determines that first dataassociated with a requested content item is unavailable within a firststorage location of the first processing system, resulting in a firstdetermination, determines, based on the first determination, that thefirst data is available within a second storage location of a secondprocessing system including a second processor, resulting in a seconddetermination, wherein the first processing system and the secondprocessing system are included in a first tier of a processing systemhierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchy includes a secondtier, the second tier including a third processing system including athird processor, obtains, based on the second determination, the firstdata from the second storage location of the second processing system,and transmits, based on the obtaining of the first data from the secondstorage location of the second processing system, the first data to auser equipment. System 100 can facilitate in whole or in partdetermining, by a first processing system including a first processor,that first data is unavailable within a first storage device of thefirst processing system, resulting in a first determination,determining, by the first processing system and based on the firstdetermination, that the first data is available within a second storagedevice of a second processing system including a second processor,resulting in a second determination, wherein the first processing systemand the second processing system are included in a first tier of aprocessing system hierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchyincludes a second tier, the second tier including a third processingsystem including a third processor, obtaining, by the first processingsystem and based on the second determination, the first data from thesecond storage device of the second processing system, and transmitting,by the first processing system and based on the obtaining of the firstdata from the second storage device of the second processing system, thefirst data to a communication device.

In particular, in FIG. 1 a communications network 125 is presented forproviding broadband access 110 to a plurality of data terminals 114 viaaccess terminal 112, wireless access 120 to a plurality of mobiledevices 124 and vehicle 126 via base station or access point 122, voiceaccess 130 to a plurality of telephony devices 134, via switching device132 and/or media access 140 to a plurality of audio/video displaydevices 144 via media terminal 142. In addition, communication network125 is coupled to one or more content sources 175 of audio, video,graphics, text and/or other media. While broadband access 110, wirelessaccess 120, voice access 130 and media access 140 are shown separately,one or more of these forms of access can be combined to provide multipleaccess services to a single client device (e.g., mobile devices 124 canreceive media content via media terminal 142, data terminal 114 can beprovided voice access via switching device 132, and so on).

The communications network 125 includes a plurality of network elements(NE) 150, 152, 154, 156, etc. for facilitating the broadband access 110,wireless access 120, voice access 130, media access 140 and/or thedistribution of content from content sources 175. The communicationsnetwork 125 can include a circuit switched or packet switched network, avoice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network, Internet protocol (IP)network, a cable network, a passive or active optical network, a 4G, 5G,or higher generation wireless access network, WIMAX network,UltraWideband network, personal area network or other wireless accessnetwork, a broadcast satellite network and/or other communicationsnetwork.

In various embodiments, the access terminal 112 can include a digitalsubscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM), cable modem terminationsystem (CMTS), optical line terminal (OLT) and/or other access terminal.The data terminals 114 can include personal computers, laptop computers,netbook computers, tablets or other computing devices along with digitalsubscriber line (DSL) modems, data over coax service interfacespecification (DOCSIS) modems or other cable modems, a wireless modemsuch as a 4G, 5G, or higher generation modem, an optical modem and/orother access devices.

In various embodiments, the base station or access point 122 can includea 4G, 5G, or higher generation base station, an access point thatoperates via an 802.11 standard such as 802.11n, 802.11ac or otherwireless access terminal. The mobile devices 124 can include mobilephones, e-readers, tablets, phablets, wireless modems, and/or othermobile computing devices.

In various embodiments, the switching device 132 can include a privatebranch exchange or central office switch, a media services gateway, VoIPgateway or other gateway device and/or other switching device. Thetelephony devices 134 can include traditional telephones (with orwithout a terminal adapter), VoIP telephones and/or other telephonydevices.

In various embodiments, the media terminal 142 can include a cablehead-end or other TV head-end, a satellite receiver, gateway or othermedia terminal 142. The display devices 144 can include televisions withor without a set top box, personal computers and/or other displaydevices.

In various embodiments, the content sources 175 include broadcasttelevision and radio sources, video on demand platforms and streamingvideo and audio services platforms, one or more content data networks,data servers, web servers and other content servers, and/or othersources of media.

In various embodiments, the communications network 125 can includewired, optical and/or wireless links and the network elements 150, 152,154, 156, etc. can include service switching points, signal transferpoints, service control points, network gateways, media distributionhubs, servers, firewalls, routers, edge devices, switches and othernetwork nodes for routing and controlling communications traffic overwired, optical and wireless links as part of the Internet and otherpublic networks as well as one or more private networks, for managingsubscriber access, for billing and network management and for supportingother network functions.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a system 200 a that may function within, or may beoperatively overlaid upon, the communication network 100 of FIG. 1 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. For reasons that willbecome clearer in the description that follows, aspects of the system200 a may facilitate peering between devices, enabling an effectiveincrease in data (such as content—e.g., videos, movies, music, text,documents, etc.) that can be stored (e.g., cached) at child or edgedevices.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the system 200 a may include a first childcommunication device 202 a-1 and a second child communication device 202a-2. Each of the child communication devices 202 a-1 and 202 a-2 mayinclude a memory, a cache, or other storage, that may be allocated foruse by one or more applications (apps), data, etc. For example, thefirst child communication device 202 a-1 may include a first proxy app206 a-1, a first proxy app storage 210 a-1, and a first cache app 214a-1. Similarly, the second child communication device 202 a-2 mayinclude a second proxy app 206 a-2, a second proxy app storage 210 a-2,and a second cache app 214 a-2.

Each of the child communication devices 202 a-1 and 202 a-2 may becommunicatively coupled to a respective parent communicationdevice—e.g., the first child communication device 202 a-1 may be coupledto a first parent communication device 226 a-1 and the second childcommunication device 202 a-2 may be coupled to a second parentcommunication device 226 a-2. In some embodiments, the first parentcommunication device 226 a-1 and the second parent communication device226 a-2 may be a same communication device, which is to say that each ofthe child devices 202 a-1 and 202 a-2 may be coupled to a common parentdevice.

While the child devices 202 a-1 and 202 a-2 and the parent devices 226a-1 and 226 a-2 effectively establish a two-tier hierarchy, the numberof tiers or levels that may be included in a given embodiment/instanceof the system 200 a may be a function of the amount of data that may beaccommodated by the system 200 a, the storage capacities associated withthe various devices, etc. Thus, in some embodiments, additional tiers orlevels may be included, such as for example in relation to grandparentdevices, great-grandparent devices, etc. Furthermore, the number ofcommunication devices included in a given tier may be different fromwhat is shown in FIG. 2A. For example, in some embodiments the childtier may include a different count of devices (e.g., may include morethan two devices) from what is shown in FIG. 2A.

Assuming that each device on a given level/tier has the same amount ofstorage capacity (Q), the total amount of storage capacity on the tierwill be equal to N×Q, where N is the number of devices on the tier.Stated slightly differently, the additional amount of storage capacityon a tier is increased by (N-1)×Q relative to a scenario where a singledevice (N=1) is utilized. Of course, one skilled in the art willappreciate that it is not necessarily the case that all devices on agiven tier will include the same amount of storage capacity; e.g., afirst device may have a first amount of capacity and a second device mayhave a second amount of capacity that is different from the firstamount.

In operation, the system 200 a may accommodate/facilitate a provisioningof data to a communication device, such as for example a user equipment(UE) 234 a. For example, the UE 234 a may generate and transmit arequest for a content item (e.g., a video) that may be provided to oneor more of the child devices 202 a-1 and 202 a-2. For example, andassuming that the UE 234 a corresponds to a mobile device, the firstchild 202 a-1 may obtain (e.g., receive) the request from the UE 234 abased on a first distance between the UE 234 a and the first child 202a-1 being less than a second distance between the UE 234 a and thesecond child 202 a-2. Distance is one example of a parameter that may betaken into consideration; other parameters (such as for example:respective loads/traffic accommodated by the child devices 202 a-1 and202 a-2, capabilities of the UE 234 a, priority levels of access orpermissions granted to the UE 234 a, etc.) may be taken into account interms of the child device that the UE 234 a is communicatively coupledto for purposes of providing various communication services to the UE234 a.

Based on the first child 202 a-1 obtaining the request for the contentitem from the UE 234 a (in this example), the first proxy app 206 a-1may determine whether the content item is available from (e.g., isincluded within) the first proxy app storage 210 a-1. If the contentitem is determined to be available from the first proxy app storage 210a-1, the first proxy app 206 a-1 may obtain the content item from thefirst proxy app storage 210 a-1 and provide the same to the UE 234 a tosatisfy/fulfill the request.

Continuing this example, if the content item is determined to beunavailable from the first proxy app storage 210 a-1, a determinationmay be made whether the content item is available from the first cacheapp 214 a-1. If the content item is determined to be available from thefirst cache app 214 a-1, the first proxy app 206 a-1 may obtain thecontent item from the first cache app 214 a-1 and provide the same tothe UE 234 a to satisfy/fulfill the request.

Continuing the foregoing example, if the content item is determined tobe unavailable from the first cache app 214 a-1, a determination may bemade whether the content item is available from the second cache app 214a-2 (or the second proxy app storage 210 a-2). If the content item isdetermined to be available from the second cache app 214 a-2 (or thesecond proxy app storage 210 a-2), the first proxy app 206 a-1 mayobtain the content item from the second cache app 214 a-2 (or the secondproxy app storage 210 a-2) and provide the same to the UE 234 a tosatisfy/fulfill the request.

Continuing this example, if the content item is determined to beunavailable from the second cache app 214 a-2/second proxy app storage210 a-2, a determination may be made whether the content item isavailable from the first parent 226 a-1. If the content item isdetermined to be available from the first parent 226 a-1, the firstproxy app 206 a-1 may obtain the content item from the first parent 226a-1 and provide the same to the UE 234 a to satisfy/fulfill the request.Otherwise, if the content item is determined to be unavailable from thefirst parent 226 a-1, the request might not be able to be fulfilled.

In some embodiments, one or more schemes or algorithms may be utilizedto facilitate one or more of the determinations set forth above. Forexample, in some embodiments a mapping, indexing, and/or hashingscheme/algorithm may be used to identify one or more locations where acontent item (or one or more portions or segments thereof) may bestored. In this regard, multiple ones of the determinations may becombined or collapsed into a single determination, which can be usefulfor purposes of reducing latency in fulfilling a request for a contentitem.

In some embodiments, data (e.g., data associated with one or morecontent items) may be provided (e.g., pushed) to the UE 234 a in theabsence of an explicit or affirmative request from the UE 234 a for thedata. For example, based on a log or record of consumed media, aschedule of a user associated with the UE 234 a, a log of purchases madeby the user or the UE 234 a, and/or based on other factors orconsiderations, data may be provided to the UE 234 a without a requestfrom the user or the UE 234 a for the data. Thus, the use of the requestset forth in the foregoing example should be viewed asillustrative/exemplary of one scenario how the system 200 a may be usedin practice (whereby the requested content item is pulled by the UE 234a from, e.g., the first child 202 a-1), as opposed to a limitation uponthe use of the system 200 a.

As the foregoing description demonstrates, an attempt may first be madeto obtain data locally before extending/reaching out to other devices orapps (e.g., remote devices or apps) for the data. All other conditionsbeing assumed equal, a local access of data may reduce the amount oftime needed to fulfill a request for the data, which may enhance thequality of service (QoS) and/or the quality of experience (QoE).

In many instances, the capacity of memory or other storage may bedifferent at a local level relative to a remote level. For example, thefirst proxy app storage 210 a-1 may have a first level ofstorage/capacity that is different from (e.g., is less than) a secondlevel of storage/capacity available at the first cache app 214 a-1, andthe first parent 226 a-1 may have a third level of storage/capacity thatis different from (e.g., is greater than) the second level ofstorage/capacity available at the first cache app 214 a-1.

The use of the proxy apps (e.g., the first proxy app 206 a-1 and thesecond proxy app 206 a-2) and the cache apps (e.g., the first cache app214 a-1 and the second cache app 214 a-2) may enhance/increase theamount of capacity that is available on the child-tier, relative to theuse of a single child device (e.g., the first child 202 a-1). In thisrespect, and from the perspective of the first child 202 a-1, access todata stored in the second cache app 214 a-2 may be faster than access tothat same data stored in the first parent 226 a-1. More generally,access to data stored within a given tier may be faster than access tothat same data stored in a different tier.

In some embodiments, data that is determined to be accessed frequently(e.g., accessed in an amount that is greater than a threshold) may bestored locally (e.g., within a proxy app storage, such as the firstproxy app storage 210 a-1); other data that is accessed less frequentlymay be stored at a more remote location (e.g., at a parent, such as thefirst parent 226 a-1). Frequency of access may be determined/identifieddynamically, which is to say that first data may be accessed morefrequently than second data at a first point in time and less frequentlythan the second data at a second point in time that is different from(e.g., is subsequent to) the first point in time. In practical terms,popular items of data (e.g., content items, such as videos, music, etc.)may be stored locally or proximal to an edge of a network to reduce thetime it takes to provision the data to multiple communication devices(e.g., multiple UEs). In this respect, an efficiency of networkresources may be enhanced (e.g., maximized), while reducing (e.g.,minimizing) upstream network traffic and reducing the amount of capacityrequired at higher layers/tiers that are more remote from thecommunication devices that consume or otherwise utilize the data.

As referred to above, in some embodiments data associated with arequested item may be segmented or partitioned into multiple portions.Segmentation may provide for a number of features, inclusive of loadbalancing/sharing between devices (e.g., servers), facilitating priorityor levels of service or access, facilitating troubleshooting, testing,or maintenance activities, increasing reliability or tolerance tofaults, etc. In some embodiments, a second segment may be prefetchedinto a local storage (e.g., the first proxy app storage 210 a-1) while afirst segment is provisioned to a UE (e.g., the UE 234 a), which is tosay that the second segment may be obtained prior to the second segmentbeing needed by the UE. In this example, the second segment may beprefetched based on a determination that a probability that the secondsegment will be needed by the UE is high (e.g., is greater than athreshold). The amount or extent of prefetching may be selected tofacilitate a smooth presentation (e.g., a smooth playback) at the UE,while at the same time taking into consideration any network penalty oroverhead associated with the prefetching in the first instance. In someembodiments, the amount or extent of prefetching may be based on asubscription or tier of service, which is to say that an amount orextent of prefetching may be distinguished or differentiated as betweenusers or devices.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, an illustrative embodiment of a method 200 bin accordance with various aspects described herein is depicted. Themethod 200 b may be facilitated (e.g., executed) by one or more systems,devices, and/or components, such as for example the systems, devices,and components set forth herein. In some embodiments, the method 200 bmay be executed to provision data within a network (e.g., amongstdevices of the network) and/or to provide the data to a communicationdevice (e.g., a UE).

In block 204 b, a request for data may be obtained from thecommunication device. For example, the request for data may be based ona selection of a content item at, e.g., the communication device. Theselection may be made from a menu, an electronic programming guide(EPG), an interactive programming guide (IPG), or the like. In someinstances, the request may be generated based on search criteria (e.g.,a search term/query), where the search criteria may serve to identifythe data. In some embodiments, the request may identify the data basedon the use of an address, a link, a uniform resource locator (URL), orthe like.

In block 208 b, the location of the data may be identified. For example,and to the extent that the request of block 204 b is associated with aURL, block 208 b may include hashing the URL to direct the request to anappropriate location or device. The hashing may be performed by one ormore applications (apps), such as for example a proxy app (see FIG. 2A:proxy app 206 a-1 and proxy app 206 a-2). The hashing may resolve theURL (or associated domain name) to a particular storage locationcorresponding to the requested data.

In some embodiments, and to the extent that the data is accessible frommultiple locations, block 208 b may include a selection of one or morelocations for obtaining the data. To the extent that multiple locationsare available for selection, one or more factors or considerations (suchas, for example, obtaining a reduction in latency) may be taken intoaccount as part of the selection. In this regard, and all otherconditions being assumed equal, the location identified/selected as partof block 208 b may be a local location relative to a remote location inorder to reduce latency in fulfilling the request.

In block 212 b, the data may be obtained from the location(s) identifiedas part of block 208 b.

In block 216 b, the data that is obtained may be stored. The storage ofthe data as part of block 216 b may facilitate future requests for thedata, which is to say that block 212 b might not need to be executed aspart of future executions/iterations of the method 200 b.

In block 220 b, the data may be provided (e.g., transmitted) to thecommunication device. The provisioning of the data as part of block 220b may fulfill the request of block 204 b. As part of block 220 b, a logof the provisioning of the data to the communication device may begenerated or recorded, which may be used as part of a billing process oralgorithm.

While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the respectiveprocesses are shown and described as a series of blocks in FIG. 2B, itis to be understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter isnot limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described herein.

Aspects of this disclosure, inclusive of aspects of the system 200 a andthe method 200 b, may be incorporated as part of one or more practicalapplications. For example, aspects of this disclosure may be used toprovision data (potentially associated with one or more content items,such as one or more videos) to one or more communication devices.Aspects of this disclosure may be used to reduce the latency associatedwith the provisioning of the data. Such a reduction in latency may beespecially important in relation to environments or applications thatfacilitate time-sensitive communications, such as streaming video andstreaming audio, where excess delay (e.g., delay in an amount above athreshold) may substantially degrade the quality of the user experience(e.g., may lead to buffering related delays). In this regard, aspects ofthis disclosure represent substantial improvements relative toconventional technologies.

Aspects of this disclosure may be used to provision data associated withcontent items to one or more communication devices. Such data mayinclude one or more advertisements. In some embodiments, one or moreadvertisements may be selected based on a capability associated with acommunication device, based on one or more user profiles, based on a logor record of consumed media, based on a log of purchase or commercialtransactions, network loads or traffic, and/or based on other factors orconsiderations.

In some embodiments, data may be stored at one or more locations and/orat one or more devices. In some embodiments, data may be storedat/within a cache to streamline the time it takes to obtain/access andprovide the data to a communication device (e.g., a UE). Assuming that acapacity of a storage device (e.g., a cache) is limited, aspects of thisdisclosure may include overwriting first data with second (e.g., morerecently obtained or accessed) data.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram 300 is shown illustrating anexample, non-limiting embodiment of a virtualized communication networkin accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular avirtualized communication network is presented that can be used toimplement some or all of the subsystems and functions of system 100, thesubsystems and functions of system 200 a, and method 200 b presented inFIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B. For example, virtualized communication network 300can facilitate in whole or in part a first device that obtains a firstrequest for a content item, determines, based on the obtaining of thefirst request, whether first data associated with the content item isavailable at the first device, resulting in a first determination,transmits the first data to a communication device when the firstdetermination indicates that the first data is available at the firstdevice, obtains the first data from at least one of a second device anda third device when the first determination indicates that the firstdata is unavailable at the first device, wherein the first device andthe second device are included in a first tier of a hierarchicalarrangement of devices, wherein the third device is included in a secondtier of the hierarchical arrangement of devices, and wherein the secondtier is different from the first tier, and transmits, based on theobtaining of the first data from the at least one of a second device anda third device, the first data to the communication device when thefirst determination indicates that the first data is unavailable at thefirst device. Virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate inwhole or in part a first processing system including a first processorthat determines that first data associated with a requested content itemis unavailable within a first storage location of the first processingsystem, resulting in a first determination, determines, based on thefirst determination, that the first data is available within a secondstorage location of a second processing system including a secondprocessor, resulting in a second determination, wherein the firstprocessing system and the second processing system are included in afirst tier of a processing system hierarchy, and wherein the processingsystem hierarchy includes a second tier, the second tier including athird processing system including a third processor, obtains, based onthe second determination, the first data from the second storagelocation of the second processing system, and transmits, based on theobtaining of the first data from the second storage location of thesecond processing system, the first data to a user equipment.Virtualized communication network 300 can facilitate in whole or in partdetermining, by a first processing system including a first processor,that first data is unavailable within a first storage device of thefirst processing system, resulting in a first determination,determining, by the first processing system and based on the firstdetermination, that the first data is available within a second storagedevice of a second processing system including a second processor,resulting in a second determination, wherein the first processing systemand the second processing system are included in a first tier of aprocessing system hierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchyincludes a second tier, the second tier including a third processingsystem including a third processor, obtaining, by the first processingsystem and based on the second determination, the first data from thesecond storage device of the second processing system, and transmitting,by the first processing system and based on the obtaining of the firstdata from the second storage device of the second processing system, thefirst data to a communication device.

In particular, a cloud networking architecture is shown that leveragescloud technologies and supports rapid innovation and scalability via atransport layer 350, a virtualized network function cloud 325 and/or oneor more cloud computing environments 375. In various embodiments, thiscloud networking architecture is an open architecture that leveragesapplication programming interfaces (APIs); reduces complexity fromservices and operations; supports more nimble business models; andrapidly and seamlessly scales to meet evolving customer requirementsincluding traffic growth, diversity of traffic types, and diversity ofperformance and reliability expectations.

In contrast to traditional network elements—which are typicallyintegrated to perform a single function, the virtualized communicationnetwork employs virtual network elements (VNEs) 330, 332, 334, etc. thatperform some or all of the functions of network elements 150, 152, 154,156, etc. For example, the network architecture can provide a substrateof networking capability, often called Network Function VirtualizationInfrastructure (NFVI) or simply infrastructure that is capable of beingdirected with software and Software Defined Networking (SDN) protocolsto perform a broad variety of network functions and services. Thisinfrastructure can include several types of substrates. The most typicaltype of substrate being servers that support Network FunctionVirtualization (NFV), followed by packet forwarding capabilities basedon generic computing resources, with specialized network technologiesbrought to bear when general purpose processors or general purposeintegrated circuit devices offered by merchants (referred to herein asmerchant silicon) are not appropriate. In this case, communicationservices can be implemented as cloud-centric workloads.

As an example, a traditional network element 150 (shown in FIG. 1 ),such as an edge router can be implemented via a VNE 330 composed of NFVsoftware modules, merchant silicon, and associated controllers. Thesoftware can be written so that increasing workload consumes incrementalresources from a common resource pool, and moreover so that it'selastic: so the resources are only consumed when needed. In a similarfashion, other network elements such as other routers, switches, edgecaches, and middle-boxes are instantiated from the common resource pool.Such sharing of infrastructure across a broad set of uses makes planningand growing infrastructure easier to manage.

In an embodiment, the transport layer 350 includes fiber, cable, wiredand/or wireless transport elements, network elements and interfaces toprovide broadband access 110, wireless access 120, voice access 130,media access 140 and/or access to content sources 175 for distributionof content to any or all of the access technologies. In particular, insome cases a network element needs to be positioned at a specific place,and this allows for less sharing of common infrastructure. Other times,the network elements have specific physical layer adapters that cannotbe abstracted or virtualized, and might require special DSP code andanalog front-ends (AFEs) that do not lend themselves to implementationas VNEs 330, 332 or 334. These network elements can be included intransport layer 350.

The virtualized network function cloud 325 interfaces with the transportlayer 350 to provide the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide specificNFVs. In particular, the virtualized network function cloud 325leverages cloud operations, applications, and architectures to supportnetworking workloads. The virtualized network elements 330, 332 and 334can employ network function software that provides either a one-for-onemapping of traditional network element function or alternately somecombination of network functions designed for cloud computing. Forexample, VNEs 330, 332 and 334 can include route reflectors, domain namesystem (DNS) servers, and dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)servers, system architecture evolution (SAE) and/or mobility managemententity (MME) gateways, broadband network gateways, IP edge routers forIP-VPN, Ethernet and other services, load balancers, distributers andother network elements. Because these elements don't typically need toforward large amounts of traffic, their workload can be distributedacross a number of servers—each of which adds a portion of thecapability, and overall which creates an elastic function with higheravailability than its former monolithic version. These virtual networkelements 330, 332, 334, etc. can be instantiated and managed using anorchestration approach similar to those used in cloud compute services.

The cloud computing environments 375 can interface with the virtualizednetwork function cloud 325 via APIs that expose functional capabilitiesof the VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. to provide the flexible and expandedcapabilities to the virtualized network function cloud 325. Inparticular, network workloads may have applications distributed acrossthe virtualized network function cloud 325 and cloud computingenvironment 375 and in the commercial cloud, or might simply orchestrateworkloads supported entirely in NFV infrastructure from these thirdparty locations.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. In order to provide additional context for various embodimentsof the embodiments described herein, FIG. 4 and the following discussionare intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitablecomputing environment 400 in which the various embodiments of thesubject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computingenvironment 400 can be used in the implementation of network elements150, 152, 154, 156, access terminal 112, base station or access point122, switching device 132, media terminal 142, and/or VNEs 330, 332,334, etc. Each of these devices can be implemented viacomputer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers,and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combinationof hardware and software. For example, computing environment 400 canfacilitate in whole or in part a first device that obtains a firstrequest for a content item, determines, based on the obtaining of thefirst request, whether first data associated with the content item isavailable at the first device, resulting in a first determination,transmits the first data to a communication device when the firstdetermination indicates that the first data is available at the firstdevice, obtains the first data from at least one of a second device anda third device when the first determination indicates that the firstdata is unavailable at the first device, wherein the first device andthe second device are included in a first tier of a hierarchicalarrangement of devices, wherein the third device is included in a secondtier of the hierarchical arrangement of devices, and wherein the secondtier is different from the first tier, and transmits, based on theobtaining of the first data from the at least one of a second device anda third device, the first data to the communication device when thefirst determination indicates that the first data is unavailable at thefirst device. Computing environment 400 can facilitate in whole or inpart a first processing system including a first processor thatdetermines that first data associated with a requested content item isunavailable within a first storage location of the first processingsystem, resulting in a first determination, determines, based on thefirst determination, that the first data is available within a secondstorage location of a second processing system including a secondprocessor, resulting in a second determination, wherein the firstprocessing system and the second processing system are included in afirst tier of a processing system hierarchy, and wherein the processingsystem hierarchy includes a second tier, the second tier including athird processing system including a third processor, obtains, based onthe second determination, the first data from the second storagelocation of the second processing system, and transmits, based on theobtaining of the first data from the second storage location of thesecond processing system, the first data to a user equipment. Computingenvironment 400 can facilitate in whole or in part determining, by afirst processing system including a first processor, that first data isunavailable within a first storage device of the first processingsystem, resulting in a first determination, determining, by the firstprocessing system and based on the first determination, that the firstdata is available within a second storage device of a second processingsystem including a second processor, resulting in a seconddetermination, wherein the first processing system and the secondprocessing system are included in a first tier of a processing systemhierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchy includes a secondtier, the second tier including a third processing system including athird processor, obtaining, by the first processing system and based onthe second determination, the first data from the second storage deviceof the second processing system, and transmitting, by the firstprocessing system and based on the obtaining of the first data from thesecond storage device of the second processing system, the first data toa communication device.

Generally, program modules comprise routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

As used herein, a processing circuit includes one or more processors aswell as other application specific circuits such as an applicationspecific integrated circuit, digital logic circuit, state machine,programmable gate array or other circuit that processes input signals ordata and that produces output signals or data in response thereto. Itshould be noted that while any functions and features described hereinin association with the operation of a processor could likewise beperformed by a processing circuit.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically comprise a variety of media, which cancomprise computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and comprises both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can comprise, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and comprises any informationdelivery or transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signalsrefers to a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set orchanged in such a manner as to encode information in one or moresignals. By way of example, and not limitation, communication mediacomprise wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and otherwireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 4 , the example environment can comprise acomputer 402, the computer 402 comprising a processing unit 404, asystem memory 406 and a system bus 408. The system bus 408 couplessystem components including, but not limited to, the system memory 406to the processing unit 404. The processing unit 404 can be any ofvarious commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 404.

The system bus 408 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 406comprises ROM 410 and RAM 412. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can bestored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within the computer 402,such as during startup. The RAM 412 can also comprise a high-speed RAMsuch as static RAM for caching data.

The computer 402 further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 414(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD 414 can also be configured forexternal use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy diskdrive (FDD) 416, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette418) and an optical disk drive 420, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 422 or,to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as theDVD). The HDD 414, magnetic FDD 416 and optical disk drive 420 can beconnected to the system bus 408 by a hard disk drive interface 424, amagnetic disk drive interface 426 and an optical drive interface 428,respectively. The hard disk drive interface 424 for external driveimplementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus(USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies arewithin contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 402, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 412,comprising an operating system 430, one or more application programs432, other program modules 434 and program data 436. All or portions ofthe operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also becached in the RAM 412. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 402 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 438 and apointing device, such as a mouse 440. Other input devices (not shown)can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick,a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and otherinput devices are often connected to the processing unit 404 through aninput device interface 442 that can be coupled to the system bus 408,but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, anIEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port,an IR interface, etc.

A monitor 444 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 408 via an interface, such as a video adapter 446. Itwill also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor 444can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display,a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving displayinformation associated with computer 402 via any communication means,including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to themonitor 444, a computer typically comprises other peripheral outputdevices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 402 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 448. The remotecomputer(s) 448 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallycomprises many or all of the elements described relative to the computer402, although, for purposes of brevity, only a remote memory/storagedevice 450 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted comprisewired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 452 and/orlarger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 454. Such LAN and WANnetworking environments are commonplace in offices and companies, andfacilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all ofwhich can connect to a global communications network, e.g., theInternet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 402 can beconnected to the LAN 452 through a wired and/or wireless communicationnetwork interface or adapter 456. The adapter 456 can facilitate wiredor wireless communication to the LAN 452, which can also comprise awireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter 456.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 402 can comprisea modem 458 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN454 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 454,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 458, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 408 via the input device interface 442. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 402 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 450. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 402 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can comprise WirelessFidelity (Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, thecommunication can be a predefined structure as with a conventionalnetwork or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, ag, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands for example or with productsthat contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can providereal-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernetnetworks used in many offices.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , an embodiment 500 of a mobile network platform510 is shown that is an example of network elements 150, 152, 154, 156,and/or VNEs 330, 332, 334, etc. For example, platform 510 can facilitatein whole or in part a first device that obtains a first request for acontent item, determines, based on the obtaining of the first request,whether first data associated with the content item is available at thefirst device, resulting in a first determination, transmits the firstdata to a communication device when the first determination indicatesthat the first data is available at the first device, obtains the firstdata from at least one of a second device and a third device when thefirst determination indicates that the first data is unavailable at thefirst device, wherein the first device and the second device areincluded in a first tier of a hierarchical arrangement of devices,wherein the third device is included in a second tier of thehierarchical arrangement of devices, and wherein the second tier isdifferent from the first tier, and transmits, based on the obtaining ofthe first data from the at least one of a second device and a thirddevice, the first data to the communication device when the firstdetermination indicates that the first data is unavailable at the firstdevice. Platform 510 can facilitate in whole or in part a firstprocessing system including a first processor that determines that firstdata associated with a requested content item is unavailable within afirst storage location of the first processing system, resulting in afirst determination, determines, based on the first determination, thatthe first data is available within a second storage location of a secondprocessing system including a second processor, resulting in a seconddetermination, wherein the first processing system and the secondprocessing system are included in a first tier of a processing systemhierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchy includes a secondtier, the second tier including a third processing system including athird processor, obtains, based on the second determination, the firstdata from the second storage location of the second processing system,and transmits, based on the obtaining of the first data from the secondstorage location of the second processing system, the first data to auser equipment. Platform 510 can facilitate in whole or in partdetermining, by a first processing system including a first processor,that first data is unavailable within a first storage device of thefirst processing system, resulting in a first determination,determining, by the first processing system and based on the firstdetermination, that the first data is available within a second storagedevice of a second processing system including a second processor,resulting in a second determination, wherein the first processing systemand the second processing system are included in a first tier of aprocessing system hierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchyincludes a second tier, the second tier including a third processingsystem including a third processor, obtaining, by the first processingsystem and based on the second determination, the first data from thesecond storage device of the second processing system, and transmitting,by the first processing system and based on the obtaining of the firstdata from the second storage device of the second processing system, thefirst data to a communication device.

In one or more embodiments, the mobile network platform 510 can generateand receive signals transmitted and received by base stations or accesspoints such as base station or access point 122. Generally, mobilenetwork platform 510 can comprise components, e.g., nodes, gateways,interfaces, servers, or disparate platforms, that facilitate bothpacket-switched (PS) (e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay,asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic(e.g., voice and data), as well as control generation for networkedwireless telecommunication. As a non-limiting example, mobile networkplatform 510 can be included in telecommunications carrier networks, andcan be considered carrier-side components as discussed elsewhere herein.Mobile network platform 510 comprises CS gateway node(s) 512 which caninterface CS traffic received from legacy networks like telephonynetwork(s) 540 (e.g., public switched telephone network (PSTN), orpublic land mobile network (PLMN)) or a signaling system #7 (SS7)network 560. CS gateway node(s) 512 can authorize and authenticatetraffic (e.g., voice) arising from such networks. Additionally, CSgateway node(s) 512 can access mobility, or roaming, data generatedthrough SS7 network 560; for instance, mobility data stored in a visitedlocation register (VLR), which can reside in memory 530. Moreover, CSgateway node(s) 512 interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PSgateway node(s) 518. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gatewaynode(s) 512 can be realized at least in part in gateway GPRS supportnode(s) (GGSN). It should be appreciated that functionality and specificoperation of CS gateway node(s) 512, PS gateway node(s) 518, and servingnode(s) 516, is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilizedby mobile network platform 510 for telecommunication over a radio accessnetwork 520 with other devices, such as a radiotelephone 575.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 518 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions cancomprise traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to themobile network platform 510, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 550,enterprise network(s) 570, and service network(s) 580, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 510 through PS gateway node(s) 518. It is to benoted that WANs 550 and enterprise network(s) 570 can embody, at leastin part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS). Basedon radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s) orradio access network 520, PS gateway node(s) 518 can generate packetdata protocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 518 cancomprise a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 500, mobile network platform 510 also comprises servingnode(s) 516 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) in the radio access network 520, convey thevarious packetized flows of data streams received through PS gatewaynode(s) 518. It is to be noted that for technology resource(s) that relyprimarily on CS communication, server node(s) can deliver trafficwithout reliance on PS gateway node(s) 518; for example, server node(s)can embody at least in part a mobile switching center. As an example, ina 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) 516 can be embodied in serving GPRSsupport node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)514 in mobile network platform 510 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can comprise add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bymobile network platform 510. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 518 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 516 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 514 can comprise utilityserver(s), a utility server can comprise a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through mobile network platform 510 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 512and PS gateway node(s) 518 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 550 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to mobilenetwork platform 510 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as the distributed antennas networks shown in FIG. 1(s)that enhance wireless service coverage by providing more networkcoverage.

It is to be noted that server(s) 514 can comprise one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of mobilenetwork platform 510. To that end, the one or more processor can executecode instructions stored in memory 530, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 514 can comprise a content manager, whichoperates in substantially the same manner as described hereinbefore.

In example embodiment 500, memory 530 can store information related tooperation of mobile network platform 510. Other operational informationcan comprise provisioning information of mobile devices served throughmobile network platform 510, subscriber databases; applicationintelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates, flat-rateprograms, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s) consistentwith telecommunication protocols for operation of disparate radio, orwireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 530 can also storeinformation from at least one of telephony network(s) 540, WAN 550, SS7network 560, or enterprise network(s) 570. In an aspect, memory 530 canbe, for example, accessed as part of a data store component or as aremotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 5 , and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules comprise routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a communicationdevice 600 is shown. The communication device 600 can serve as anillustrative embodiment of devices such as data terminals 114, mobiledevices 124, vehicle 126, display devices 144 or other client devicesfor communication via either communications network 125. For example,computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in part a first devicethat obtains a first request for a content item, determines, based onthe obtaining of the first request, whether first data associated withthe content item is available at the first device, resulting in a firstdetermination, transmits the first data to a communication device whenthe first determination indicates that the first data is available atthe first device, obtains the first data from at least one of a seconddevice and a third device when the first determination indicates thatthe first data is unavailable at the first device, wherein the firstdevice and the second device are included in a first tier of ahierarchical arrangement of devices, wherein the third device isincluded in a second tier of the hierarchical arrangement of devices,and wherein the second tier is different from the first tier, andtransmits, based on the obtaining of the first data from the at leastone of a second device and a third device, the first data to thecommunication device when the first determination indicates that thefirst data is unavailable at the first device. Computing device 600 canfacilitate in whole or in part a first processing system including afirst processor that determines that first data associated with arequested content item is unavailable within a first storage location ofthe first processing system, resulting in a first determination,determines, based on the first determination, that the first data isavailable within a second storage location of a second processing systemincluding a second processor, resulting in a second determination,wherein the first processing system and the second processing system areincluded in a first tier of a processing system hierarchy, and whereinthe processing system hierarchy includes a second tier, the second tierincluding a third processing system including a third processor,obtains, based on the second determination, the first data from thesecond storage location of the second processing system, and transmits,based on the obtaining of the first data from the second storagelocation of the second processing system, the first data to a userequipment. Computing device 600 can facilitate in whole or in partdetermining, by a first processing system including a first processor,that first data is unavailable within a first storage device of thefirst processing system, resulting in a first determination,determining, by the first processing system and based on the firstdetermination, that the first data is available within a second storagedevice of a second processing system including a second processor,resulting in a second determination, wherein the first processing systemand the second processing system are included in a first tier of aprocessing system hierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchyincludes a second tier, the second tier including a third processingsystem including a third processor, obtaining, by the first processingsystem and based on the second determination, the first data from thesecond storage device of the second processing system, and transmitting,by the first processing system and based on the obtaining of the firstdata from the second storage device of the second processing system, thefirst data to a communication device.

The communication device 600 can comprise a wireline and/or wirelesstransceiver 602 (herein transceiver 602), a user interface (UI) 604, apower supply 614, a location receiver 616, a motion sensor 618, anorientation sensor 620, and a controller 606 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 602 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth®, ZigBee®, WiFi, DECT, orcellular communication technologies, just to mention a few (Bluetooth®and ZigBee® are trademarks registered by the Bluetooth® Special InterestGroup and the ZigBee® Alliance, respectively). Cellular technologies caninclude, for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO,WiMAX, SDR, LTE, as well as other next generation wireless communicationtechnologies as they arise. The transceiver 602 can also be adapted tosupport circuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCP/IP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 604 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 608 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, a joystick, a mouse, or anavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device600. The keypad 608 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 600 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth®. The keypad 608 canrepresent a numeric keypad commonly used by phones, and/or a QWERTYkeypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 604 can further include a display610 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), OLED(Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technology forconveying images to an end user of the communication device 600. In anembodiment where the display 610 is touch-sensitive, a portion or all ofthe keypad 608 can be presented by way of the display 610 withnavigation features.

The display 610 can use touch screen technology to also serve as a userinterface for detecting user input. As a touch screen display, thecommunication device 600 can be adapted to present a user interfacehaving graphical user interface (GUI) elements that can be selected by auser with a touch of a finger. The display 610 can be equipped withcapacitive, resistive or other forms of sensing technology to detect howmuch surface area of a user's finger has been placed on a portion of thetouch screen display. This sensing information can be used to controlthe manipulation of the GUI elements or other functions of the userinterface. The display 610 can be an integral part of the housingassembly of the communication device 600 or an independent devicecommunicatively coupled thereto by a tethered wireline interface (suchas a cable) or a wireless interface.

The UI 604 can also include an audio system 612 that utilizes audiotechnology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heard inproximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such as speakerphonefor hands free operation). The audio system 612 can further include amicrophone for receiving audible signals of an end user. The audiosystem 612 can also be used for voice recognition applications. The UI604 can further include an image sensor 613 such as a charged coupleddevice (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 614 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and/or charging system technologies for supplying energyto the components of the communication device 600 to facilitatelong-range or short-range portable communications. Alternatively, or incombination, the charging system can utilize external power sources suchas DC power supplied over a physical interface such as a USB port orother suitable tethering technologies.

The location receiver 616 can utilize location technology such as aglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver capable of assisted GPS foridentifying a location of the communication device 600 based on signalsgenerated by a constellation of GPS satellites, which can be used forfacilitating location services such as navigation. The motion sensor 618can utilize motion sensing technology such as an accelerometer, agyroscope, or other suitable motion sensing technology to detect motionof the communication device 600 in three-dimensional space. Theorientation sensor 620 can utilize orientation sensing technology suchas a magnetometer to detect the orientation of the communication device600 (north, south, west, and east, as well as combined orientations indegrees, minutes, or other suitable orientation metrics).

The communication device 600 can use the transceiver 602 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other wirelessaccess points by sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or signal time of arrival (TOA) or time offlight (TOF) measurements. The controller 606 can utilize computingtechnologies such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP),programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits,and/or a video processor with associated storage memory such as Flash,ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies for executingcomputer instructions, controlling, and processing data supplied by theaforementioned components of the communication device 600.

Other components not shown in FIG. 6 can be used in one or moreembodiments of the subject disclosure. For instance, the communicationdevice 600 can include a slot for adding or removing an identity modulesuch as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card or Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC). SIM or UICC cards can be used for identifyingsubscriber services, executing programs, storing subscriber data, and soon.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can comprise both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory, non-volatile memory, disk storage, and memory storage. Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory cancomprise random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available inmany forms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, comprisingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tabletcomputers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. Theillustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computingenvironments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices thatare linked through a communications network; however, some if not allaspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alonecomputers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules canbe located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

In one or more embodiments, information regarding use of services can begenerated including services being accessed, media consumption history,user preferences, and so forth. This information can be obtained byvarious methods including user input, detecting types of communications(e.g., video content vs. audio content), analysis of content streams,sampling, and so forth. The generating, obtaining and/or monitoring ofthis information can be responsive to an authorization provided by theuser. In one or more embodiments, an analysis of data can be subject toauthorization from user(s) associated with the data, such as an opt-in,an opt-out, acknowledgement requirements, notifications, selectiveauthorization based on types of data, and so forth.

Some of the embodiments described herein can also employ artificialintelligence (AI) to facilitate automating one or more featuresdescribed herein. The embodiments (e.g., in connection withautomatically identifying acquired cell sites that provide a maximumvalue/benefit after addition to an existing communication network) canemploy various AI-based schemes for carrying out various embodimentsthereof. Moreover, the classifier can be employed to determine a rankingor priority of each cell site of the acquired network. A classifier is afunction that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . ,xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is,f(x)=confidence (class). Such classification can employ a probabilisticand/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysisutilities and costs) to determine or infer an action that a user desiresto be automatically performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is anexample of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates byfinding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which thehypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from thenon-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classificationcorrect for testing data that is near, but not identical to trainingdata. Other directed and undirected model classification approachescomprise, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, neuralnetworks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic classification modelsproviding different patterns of independence can be employed.Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statisticalregression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in some contexts in this application, in some embodiments, theterms “component,” “system” and the like are intended to refer to, orcomprise, a computer-related entity or an entity related to anoperational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, whereinthe entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or software in execution. As an example, a componentmay be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, aprocessor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution,computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer. By wayof illustration and not limitation, both an application running on aserver and the server can be a component. One or more components mayreside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component maybe localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or morecomputers. In addition, these components can execute from variouscomputer readable media having various data structures stored thereon.The components may communicate via local and/or remote processes such asin accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., datafrom one component interacting with another component in a local system,distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet withother systems via the signal). As another example, a component can be anapparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical partsoperated by electric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by asoftware or firmware application executed by a processor, wherein theprocessor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes atleast a part of the software or firmware application. As yet anotherexample, a component can be an apparatus that provides specificfunctionality through electronic components without mechanical parts,the electronic components can comprise a processor therein to executesoftware or firmware that confers at least in part the functionality ofthe electronic components. While various components have beenillustrated as separate components, it will be appreciated that multiplecomponents can be implemented as a single component, or a singlecomponent can be implemented as multiple components, without departingfrom example embodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

In addition, a flow diagram may include a “start” and/or “continue”indication. The “start” and “continue” indications reflect that thesteps presented can optionally be incorporated in or otherwise used inconjunction with other routines. In this context, “start” indicates thebeginning of the first step presented and may be preceded by otheractivities not specifically shown. Further, the “continue” indicationreflects that the steps presented may be performed multiple times and/ormay be succeeded by other activities not specifically shown. Further,while a flow diagram indicates a particular ordering of steps, otherorderings are likewise possible provided that the principles ofcausality are maintained.

As may also be used herein, the term(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupledto”, and/or “coupling” includes direct coupling between items and/orindirect coupling between items via one or more intervening items. Suchitems and intervening items include, but are not limited to, junctions,communication paths, components, circuit elements, circuits, functionalblocks, and/or devices. As an example of indirect coupling, a signalconveyed from a first item to a second item may be modified by one ormore intervening items by modifying the form, nature or format ofinformation in a signal, while one or more elements of the informationin the signal are nevertheless conveyed in a manner than can berecognized by the second item. In a further example of indirectcoupling, an action in a first item can cause a reaction on the seconditem, as a result of actions and/or reactions in one or more interveningitems.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement which achieves thesame or similar purpose may be substituted for the embodiments describedor shown by the subject disclosure. The subject disclosure is intendedto cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, can be used in the subject disclosure.For instance, one or more features from one or more embodiments can becombined with one or more features of one or more other embodiments. Inone or more embodiments, features that are positively recited can alsobe negatively recited and excluded from the embodiment with or withoutreplacement by another structural and/or functional feature. The stepsor functions described with respect to the embodiments of the subjectdisclosure can be performed in any order. The steps or functionsdescribed with respect to the embodiments of the subject disclosure canbe performed alone or in combination with other steps or functions ofthe subject disclosure, as well as from other embodiments or from othersteps that have not been described in the subject disclosure. Further,more than or less than all of the features described with respect to anembodiment can also be utilized.

What is claimed is:
 1. A first device, comprising: a processing systemincluding a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructionsthat, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance ofoperations, the operations comprising: determining, based on a firstrequest for a content item, whether first data associated with thecontent item is available at the first device, resulting in a firstdetermination, wherein the determining comprises identifying whether thefirst data is available in a first proxy application storage of thefirst device and, based on identifying that the first data isunavailable in the first proxy application storage, identifying whetherthe first data is available in a first cache application storage of thefirst device; and obtaining the first data from at least one of a seconddevice and a third device for transmission to a communication devicewhen the first determination indicates that the first data isunavailable in the first proxy application storage of the first deviceand also unavailable in the first cache application storage of the firstdevice, wherein the first device and the second device are included in afirst tier of a hierarchical arrangement of devices, wherein the thirddevice is included in a second tier of the hierarchical arrangement ofdevices that is different from the first tier, and wherein the firstproxy application storage is smaller than the first cache applicationstorage and is reserved to store prefetched segments of content itemsand portions of content items that are determined to be accessed at afrequency that is greater than a threshold.
 2. The first device of claim1, wherein the first proxy application storage is associated with aproxy application configured to process requests such as the firstrequest, wherein the second device comprises a second proxy applicationstorage and a second cache application storage, and wherein access bythe first device to the second proxy application storage or the secondcache application storage is faster than access by the first device tothe third device.
 3. The first device of claim 1, wherein the firstrequest is based on a search query entered at the communication device.4. The first device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise:storing, based on the obtaining of the first data from the at least oneof a second device and a third device, the first data at the firstdevice.
 5. The first device of claim 4, wherein the operations furthercomprise: obtaining a second request for the content item subsequent tothe storing of the first data at the first device; and transmitting,based on the storing of the first data at the first device, the firstdata to fulfill the second request.
 6. The first device of claim 5,wherein the obtaining of the second request comprises obtaining thesecond request from a second communication device that is different fromthe communication device.
 7. The first device of claim 6, wherein thetransmitting of the first data to fulfill the second request comprisestransmitting the first data to the second communication device tofulfill the second request.
 8. The first device of claim 6, wherein thetransmitting of the first data to fulfill the second request comprisestransmitting the first data to a third communication device to fulfillthe second request, and wherein the third communication device isdifferent from the communication device and is different from the secondcommunication device.
 9. The first device of claim 1, wherein at leastone of the first device and the second device is a mobile device,wherein the third device is a server, and wherein the operations furthercomprise: transmitting the first data to the communication device whenthe first determination indicates that the first data is available atthe first device.
 10. The first device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: determining, based on the firstdetermination indicating that the first data is unavailable at the firstdevice, whether the first data is available at the second device,resulting in a second determination, wherein the obtaining of the firstdata from the at least one of a second device and a third device whenthe first determination indicates that the first data is unavailable atthe first device comprises obtaining the first data from the seconddevice when the second determination indicates that the first data isavailable at the second device.
 11. The first device of claim 10,wherein the obtaining of the first data from the at least one of asecond device and a third device when the first determination indicatesthat the first data is unavailable at the first device comprisesobtaining the first data from the third device when the seconddetermination indicates that the first data is unavailable at the seconddevice.
 12. The first device of claim 10, wherein the content itemincludes a video.
 13. The first device of claim 1, wherein theoperations further comprise: prefetching second data associated with thecontent item; storing, based on the prefetching of the second data, thesecond data in a cache of the first device; accessing the second datafrom the cache; and transmitting, based on the accessing of the seconddata from the cache, the second data to the communication device. 14.The first device of claim 13, wherein the second data comprises anadvertisement.
 15. The first device of claim 13, wherein the prefetchingof the second data comprises obtaining the second data from the seconddevice.
 16. The first device of claim 1, wherein the operations furthercomprise: identifying a uniform resource locator (URL) associated withthe content item; and applying a hash to the URL, resulting in a hashedURL, wherein the first determination is based on the hashed URL.
 17. Anon-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executableinstructions that, when executed by a first processing system includinga first processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operationscomprising: determining that first data associated with a requestedcontent item is unavailable within a first storage location of the firstprocessing system, resulting in a first determination, wherein the firststorage location comprises a first proxy storage of the first processingsystem; based on the first determination, determining that the firstdata is also unavailable within a second storage location of the firstprocessing system, resulting in a second determination, wherein thesecond storage location comprises a first cache storage of the firstprocessing system; determining, based on the second determination, thatthe first data is available within a particular storage location of asecond processing system including a second processor, resulting in athird determination, wherein the first processing system and the secondprocessing system are included in a first tier of a processing systemhierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchy includes a secondtier, the second tier including a third processing system including athird processor; and obtaining, based on the third determination, thefirst data from the particular storage location of the second processingsystem, wherein the first proxy storage is smaller than the first cachestorage and is reserved to store prefetched segments of content itemsand portions of content items that are determined to be accessed at afrequency that is greater than a threshold.
 18. The non-transitorymachine-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the operations furthercomprise: determining that additional data associated with the requestedcontent item is unavailable within the first proxy storage of the firstprocessing system, resulting in a fourth determination; based on thefourth determination, determining that the additional data is availablewithin the first cache storage of the first processing system, resultingin a fifth determination; obtaining, based on the fifth determination,the additional data from the first cache storage of the first processingsystem; and transmitting, based on the obtaining of the additional datafrom the first cache storage of the first processing system, theadditional data to a user equipment, wherein the first proxy storage isassociated with a proxy application configured to process requests forcontent, wherein the particular storage location comprises a secondproxy storage or a second cache storage, and wherein access by the firstprocessing system to the particular storage location is faster thanaccess by the first processing system to the third processing system.19. A method, comprising: determining, by a first processing systemincluding a first processor, that first data is unavailable within afirst storage device of the first processing system, resulting in afirst determination, wherein the first storage device comprises a firstproxy application storage; based on the first determination,determining, by the first processing system, that the first data is alsounavailable within a second storage device of the first processingsystem, resulting in a second determination, wherein the second storagedevice comprises a first cache application storage; determining, by thefirst processing system and based on the second determination, that thefirst data is available within a particular storage device of a secondprocessing system including a second processor, resulting in a thirddetermination, wherein the first processing system and the secondprocessing system are included in a first tier of a processing systemhierarchy, and wherein the processing system hierarchy includes a secondtier, the second tier including a third processing system including athird processor; and obtaining, by the first processing system and basedon the third determination, the first data from the particular storagedevice of the second processing system, wherein the first proxyapplication storage is smaller than the first cache application storageand is reserved to store prefetched segments of content items andportions of content items that are determined to be accessed at afrequency that is greater than a threshold.
 20. The method of claim 19,further comprising: storing, by the first processing system and based onthe obtaining of the first data from the particular storage device ofthe second processing system, the first data in the first proxyapplication storage; determining, by the first processing system, thatadditional data is unavailable within the first proxy applicationstorage of the first processing system, resulting in a fourthdetermination; based on the fourth determination, determining, by thefirst processing system, that the additional data is also unavailablewithin the first cache application storage of the first processingsystem, resulting in a fifth determination; based on the fifthdetermination, determining, by the first processing system, that theadditional data is also unavailable within the particular storage deviceof the second processing system, resulting in a sixth determination;obtaining, by the first processing system and based on the sixthdetermination, the additional data from a certain storage device of thethird processing system; and storing, by the first processing system andbased on the obtaining of the additional data from the certain storagedevice of the third processing system, the additional data in the firstcache application storage, wherein the storing of the additional data inthe first cache application storage comprises overwriting the first datain the first cache application storage with the additional data.